Assurance & Certifications

Data Privacy Framework Verification

The EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF), Swiss-US Data Privacy Framework, and UK extension provide critical and compliant data mechanisms for companies.

What is the DPF?

DPF participation is the simplest, most reliable, and cost-effective EU-U.S personal data transfer option for compliance because the Data Protection Framework (DPF) is an Adequacy Decision. This means personal data can be transferred to that country without further safeguards.

The DPF verification provides a robust demonstration that you’ve met the obligations of the Data Privacy Framework, which is an approved transfer method agreed on by both the United States government and the EU Commission. Because it is an adequacy decision, supplementary measures and transfer impact assessments are not required.

DPF verification benefits

Privacy-compliant data flows

DPF-verified companies are able to ensure compliant data mechanisms from the EU and UK to the US. This means no delay in business operations across your markets.

Interoperability

DPF ensures you have structured your privacy program to comply with international data transfer commitments to future-proof yourself and most importantly operationalizes the requirements of SCCs, GDPR, and other global privacy laws (including in the U.S.).

Increased privacy maturity

Adhering to DPF ensures that your organization has a mature and well implemented privacy program, a program with principles that adhere to privacy principles that are interoperable with other domestic and international privacy regulations

Reputation and trust

DPF Verification is public-facing, signaling trust that PI will be used fairly, lawfully, and transparently. Enhance your reputation and trust with trade partners, investors, customers, and regulators compliance to an internationally recognized standard with a verified seal. Show your commitment to protecting personal data and privacy.

Commercial credibility

DPF Verification provides immediate credibility to a Small–to-Medium-Sized enterprises as a viable and vetted trading partner.

Accountability

DPF Verification provides assurance to consumers and business partners alike that data transferred to your organization will receive equivalent protections as it does abroad, thereby reducing your organizations risk and the risk for organizations that work with you.

See the DPF standard

Assurance process

Conduct privacy review

Together, we work with you to conduct a privacy analysis to understand your data policies and practices.
Demonstrate compliance

Survey questions guide you through the requirements to ensure you’re complying with the framework principles.
Customized action plan

TrustArc team provides an Action Plan for how to meet DPF privacy principles. The Action Plan includes a gap analysis, written guidance on compliance posture, and remediation recommendations to achieve compliance.
Remediation & verification

Collect, compile, or generate documents or processes to demonstrate compliance.
Reviewed or redlined privacy notice & seal issuance

A TRUSTe-reviewed Privacy Notice, a Letter of Attestation, and seal for public posting. We provide authorization and assist in completing U.S. Department of Commerce filing.
Ongoing monitoring & guidance

All assessment work and supporting documentation for an audit trail is available along with ongoing compliance monitoring.
Independent recourse mechanism

TRUSTe can be listed as your independent recourse mechanism allowing you to meet your DPF obligations. Providing you with privacy expertise to handle privacy inquiries and address disputes.

Uniquely ours

Recognized privacy seal & compliance

TRUSTe reputation as a privacy certification provider, completing 10,000+ certifications and verifications. TrustArc can review compliance for customer data, employee data, or both.

International privacy expertise

Our privacy team has expertise in a variety of areas and are spread out internationally and available year round. You also get continued support and access to our team of privacy experts after a seal is issued.

Comprehensive and flexible services

Our solutions can include assessments, verifications, and an independent recourse mechanism option – taking care of all of your needs.

TrustArc provides a third party certification that improves customer trust with our websites. Leading to better retention and higher conversion rates.
– Director of IT

TrustArc has made it easy for us to maintain our certification, which is vital for our global clients. They have provided guidance as the requirements have shifted, allowing us to update our policies and procedures. The online tools are easy to use, and their personnel have always been helpful when there is a question about the online process.Support is very responsive and knowledgeable.
– Mike J.

TrustArc makes our compliance process easy and straightforward.
– Darren D., CISO

Data Transfer Mechanisms

Criteria	Data Privacy Framework	Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)	Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs)
GDPR transfer basis	Art. 45 Adequacy Decision applicable to companies that self-certify	Art. 46(2)(c)/(d) appropriate safeguards	Art. 47(2)(b) appropriate safeguards
TIA (Transfer Impact Assessment) required?	Not for DPF-covered transfers	Yes – TIA and potential supplementary measures required	Typical yes for onward transfers outside the group
Supplementary measures required?	Not required for DPF transfers.	Often yes (e.g., encryption, pseudonymization, legal pushback, etc.)	Often yes for onward transfers
Time and effort	Fast to file (Verification by a third party is a few weeks to a few months depending program maturity)	Days to weeks per contract, multiplied by every vendor/client relationship	Multi-year approval process with EU DPAs
Ongoing maintenance	Annual Department of Commerce re-certification	Re-paper every time a process, data flow, sub-processor, or party changes	Maintain BCR commitments and regulatory reportings
Per-contract overhead	Low – covers vendor/client flows from the EU, Switzerland, and UK to certified U.S. organizations	High – new contract language and sign-off or every vendor, service provider, and client	High upfront with moderate ongoing within the group